Tractor.



H. M. LEONARD.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. 1911 Patented July 23, 1918.

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TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. 1911.

Patented July 23, 1918.

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TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2.!911- 1 ,273,63 1 Patented July 23, 1918..v

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HOWARD M. LEONARD, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

TRACTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1918.

Application filed February 2, 1917. Serial No. 146,118.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD M. LEONARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jackson, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Tractors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tractors.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved driving mechanism or transmission mechanism for the front and rear traction wheels.

Second, to provide an improved driving means for the rear traction wheels which are so disposed as to constitute in effect a single centrally disposed traction wheel.

Third, to provide a means for automatically disconnecting the front traction wheels from the power when the tractor is making sharp turns.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the de tailed description to follow;

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in a the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a plan view of my improved tractor with the platform for the operator shown in dotted outline and other parts omitted or partially broken away.

Fig. II is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. III is a detail horizontal section of my improved transmission, taken on line 3 of F igs. II and V, a part of the shifting yokes and levers being omitted, the gear box, bearings and certain other parts being shown conventionally.

Fig. IV is a detail vertical section on line 4-4 of Figs. I and II.

Fig. V is a detail vertical section on line 55 of Figs. I and II.

Fig. VI is a detail vertical section on line 6-6 of Fig. II.

Fig. VII is a detail vertical section on line 77 of Figs. I and II.

Fig. VIII is an enlarged detail vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Figs. and IX.

Fig. IX is "a detail horizontal -section taken on line 9+9 of Fig. VIII.

Fig. X is a detail elevation showing the arrangement of the engine clutch control lever whereby it may be operated by the operator facing in either direction.

In the drawings similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, I provide a running gear frame comprising a pair of side members 1 preferably of channel iron and disposed to converge rearwardly, the rear ends being connected by the curved cross portion 2. The front ends are connected by the cross piece 3.

The front traction wheels 4 are mounted on the front axle 5. On the inner sides of the front Wheels are bearing plates 7 constituting supports for the end bearin of front jack shaft 9. The front end 0 the frame is carried by the brackets 6 mounted on these plates and on the axle 5. The front traction wheels are provided with internal gears 10 while the jack shaft 9 has gears 11 meshing therewith. The wheels are of the web type and constitute casing members for these gears. The plates 7 have flanges 12 coacting with the gears to form dust proof joints for the casing.

The rear traction wheels 13 are provided with a standard 14, the wheels being arranged between the arms 15 of the standard on the rear axle 16. The standard is provided with a spindle 17 arranged in a hearing 18 disposed between the rear ends of the running gear side members, see Figs. I and V. These rear traction wheels are provided with internal gears 19 similar to the gears on the front traction wheels.

Between the rear traction wheels, I mount a gear box 20 by which the rear jack shaft 21 is carried. On the ends of this jack shaft are gears 22 meshing with the internal gears 19 of the rear traction wheels. These rear traction wheels are also of the web type and constitute casing members. The gear box 20 is provided with portions 23 which coact with the gears on the traction wheels to incase these parts.

I dispose a spindle shaft 24longitud1nally of the standard spindle 18, the lower end of the spindle being supported by the hearing 25 extending from the gear box into the standard, see Fig. V. On the lower end of the spindle shaft is a gear 26 meshing w a g ar 7 of t e j f on the rear propeller shaft 31.

ential 28, the differential being shown in conventional form only.

On the upper end of the spindle shaft is a beveled gear 29 meshing with a gear 30 The front propeller shaft 32 has driving connection with the front jack shaft 9 through its differential 33, indicated conventionally in the drawing. The gear 29 is provided with a housing 34.

The steering is effected through the rear wheels by means of the steering post 35 positioned to be operated from either of the seats 36 which are mounted on the platform 37 to face in opposite directions. 011 the lower end of the steering post is a pinion 38 meshing with a gear 39 on the spindle.

The motor 40 is shown conventionally and the driving clutch 41 thereof is controlled through the foot lever 42 and coupling rod 43, the foot lever being provided with a pair of foot holds 44 disposed on opposite sides of the pivot 45 so that the clutch may be operated with the driver occupying either of the seats 36. The details of the driving clutch are not shown as suitable clutches are well known in the art.

The motor 40 is mounted on the motor frame 46. The motor frame is supported by suitable hangers. The rear hanger is detailed in Figs. VIII and IX. The front hangers are not detailed as they embody the same features. The hanger comprises a yoke 51 secured to the cross piece 50 and provided with bearings 52 for the supporting rod 53 which projects through these bearings to re ceive the compression springs 54 at each end. The rod is provided with a spherical en largement 55 which is embraced by the bracket members 56 secured on the motor frame, as shown in Fig. VIII. This provides a spring support for the motor frame and a 3-point suspension, thereby relieving it of strains and-stresses to which the running gear gear frame may be subjected.

} The propeller shafts 31 and 32 are driven through a variable speed and reversing trans mission designated generally by the numeral 57 which is carried by the cross pieces or brackets 58 on the motor frame. This transmission comprises a driving or power shaft 59 connected tothe motor shaft 40 by the universal joint, shown conventionally at 60, an intermediate shaft 61 and a driven shaft 62. ()n the driving or power shaft 59 are gears 63, 64, 65 and 66. Gears 63 and 64 are connected together and splined to the shaft, while the gears 65 and 66 are also connected together and splined to the shaft. The -gear shifting means are not shown. The propeller shaft 31 projects through the casing of the transmission and is provided with a sleeve 67 embracing the rear end of the shaft 59. The

sleeve ,67 is provided with a sprocket 68 through which the propeller shaft 31 is driven.

The driven shaft 62 is provided with a. sprocket 69 connected to the sprocket 68 by the chain 70 shown by dotted lines. The intermediate shaft 61 has gears 71 and 72 thereon with which the gears 65 and 66 are adapted to coact, and gears 73 and 74 with which the gears 63 and 64 are adapted to coact, the gears being properly spaced to permit shifting of the desired gear into mesh. The driven shaft 62 has a gear 75 splined thereto and adapted to be shifted into mesh with the gear 71. The gear 75 is provided with a clutch member 76 adapted to coact with a clutch member 77 on the sprocket. 78. This sprocket is connected to the sprocket 79 on the intermediate shaft 61 by means of a sprocket chain 80 shown by dotted lines.

The front propeller shaft projects into the casing and has a control clutch 81 splined thereto and adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with a coacting clutch member 81 on the driven shaft 62.

When the gear 75 is shifted into mesh with the gear 71, a reverse drive is secured for the driven shaft 62 and the same variable speeds may be had on the reverse as on the forward, the tractor being designed to travel in both directions, although I preferably drive the same with the traction wheels 13 at the rear as the structure has certain oper- The standard 14 is provided with a, cam 86 which acts on the actuating rod 82 to hold the clutch in engagement when the standard is in its normal position. iVhen, however, it is turned beyond a predetermined degree, the roller 87 on the actuating rod passes off the lobe of the cam onto the dwell thereof, allowing the spring to disengage the clutch so that the tractor may be turned upon one of the front traction wheels as a pivot, the other traveling idle or without power. As soon as the traction wheels are again brought to their normal position, the clutch is engaged. The lobe of the cam is of such di mension as to retain the clutch in engagement except where'sharp turns are made.

The shaft 61 is provided with a pulley 88 from which extraneous machinery may be driven by means of a suitable belt. A- brake wheel 89 is provided for the front propeller shaft, the details of the brake not being shown as they form no part of this invention. The propeller shafts are provided with suitable universal joints indicated conventionally at 60.

I preferably provide draft bars 90 se cured to the running gear frame at 91 intermediate the jaws of tractor wheels. The

,pointhof attachment is important since it prevents the front end of the tractor from tilting up when a heavy pull is placed upon the draft bars.

I have not attempted in the accompanying drawings to maintain the relative roportion Having thus described my invention, what I clalm as new and desire to secure by Let-" ters Patent is:

1. In a tractor, the combination of a. running gear frame, front and rear traction wheel provided with gears, axles therefor, front and rear,jack shafts provided with differentials and with gears meshing with said gears on said traction wheels, front and rear propeller shafts, the front propeller shaft having driving connection with the front jack shaft, a standard for the rear wheels provided with a spindle and with a yoke between the arms of which the rear wheels are mounted in close relation, a centrally disposed bearing for said standard spindle, a gear box mounted on said rear axle between said rear wheels and provided with flanges embracing the gears thereon,

said wheels being web wheels and constituting casing members, a spindle shaft disposed through said standard spindle and project ing between the traction wheels and having driving connections with said rear jack shaftand with said rearpropeller, a bearing for the lower end of said spindle disposed in said gear box with its upper end engaging said standard, a variable speed and reverse driving transmission for said propeller shafts, a control clutch forvthe front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch. a cam on said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring when the actuating rod is released by the cam by the turning of the rear traction wheels to exceed a predetermined degree, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

'2. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels provided with gears, axles therefor, front 'and rear jack shafts provided with differentials and with gears meshing with said gears on said traction wheels, front and rear propeller shafts, the front propeller shaft having driving connection with .the front jack shaft, a standard for the rear wheels provided with a spindle and with a yoke between the arms of which the rear wheels are mounted in close relation, a centrally disposed bearing for said standard spindle, a gear box mounted on said rear axle between said rear wheels, :1 spindle shaft disposed through said standard spindle and projecting between the traction wheels and having driving connections with said rear jack shaft and with said rear propeller, a bearing for the lower end of said spindle, a variable speed and reverse driving transmission for said propeller shafts, a control clutch for the front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch, a cam on said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring. when the actuating rod is released by the cam by the turning of the rear traction wheels to exceed a predetermined degree, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

3. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels provided with gears, axles therefor, front and rear jack shafts provided with gears meshing with said gears on said traction wheels, front and rear propeller shafts, the front propeller shaft having driving connection with the front jack shaft, a standard for the rear wheels provided with a spindle and with a yoke between the arms of which the rear wheels are mounted in close relation, a bearing for said standard spindle, a gear box mounted on" said rear axle between said rear wheels, a-spindle shaft disposed through said standard spindle and projecting between the traction wheels'and having driving connections with said rear jack shaft and with said rear pro-. peller, a bearing for the lower end of said spindle, a variable speed and reverse driving transmission for said propeller shafts, a control clutch for the front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch, a cam on said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring when the actuating rod is released by the shafts, the front propeller shaft having driving connection with the front jack shaft, a standard for the rear wheels provided with a spindle and with a yoke between the arms of which the rear wheels are mounted in close relation, a bearing for said standard spindle, a spindle shaft disposed through said standard spindle and projecting between the traction wheels and having drivin connections with said rear jack shaft and with said rear propeller, a bearing for the lower end of said spindle, a driving transmission for said propeller shafts, a control clutch for the front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch, a cam on said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring when the actuating rod is released by the cam by the turning of the rear traction wheels to exceed a predetermined dcgrce, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

5. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels provided with gears, axles therefor, front and'rcar jack shafts provided with gears meshing with said gears on said traction wheels, front and rear propeller shafts, the front propeller shaft having driving connection with the front jack shaft, a standard for the rear Wheels provided with a spindle and with a yoke between the arms of which the rear wheels are mounted in close relation, a bearing for said standard spindle, a spindle shaft disposed through said standard spindle and projecting between the traction wheels and having driving connections with said rear jack shaft and with said rear propeller, a bearing for the lower end of said spindle, and a driving transmission for said propeller shafts.

6. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels provided with gears, axles therefor, front and rear jack shafts provided with gears meshin with said gears on said traction wheels, front and rear propeller shafts, the front propeller shaft having driving connection with the front jack shaft, a

standard for the rear wheels provided with a spindle and on which the rear wheels are mounted in close relation, a centrally disposed bearing for said standard spindle, a spindle shaft disposed through said standard spindle and projecting between the traction wheels and having driving connections with said rear jack shaft and with said rear propeller, a control clutch for the front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch, a camon said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring when the actuating rod is released by the cam by the turning of the rear traction wheels to exceed a predetermined degree, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

7. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels, axles therefor, front and rear propeller shafts having driving connections with said front and rear traction wheels respectively comprising differentials, a standard for supporting said rear wheels in close relation provided with a spindle,

a driving transmission for said propeller shafts, means for disengaging said front propeller shaft from said driving transmission when the rear traction wheels are turned to exceed a predetermined degree comprising a control clutch for the front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch, a cam on said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring when the actuating rod is released by the cam by the turning movement of the rear traction wheels, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

i 8. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels, axles therefor, front and rear propeller shafts having driving connections with said front and rear t"action wheels respectively, a standard for supporting said rear wheels in close relation, provided with a spindle, a driving transmission for said propeller shafts, means for disengaging said front propeller shaft from said driv- ,ing transmission when the rear traction wheels are turned to exceed a predetermined degree comprising a control clutch for the front propeller shaft, a disengaging spring for said clutch, an actuating rod for said control clutch, means on said standard spindle for actuating said rod, the clutch being disengaged by said spring when the actuating rod is released by the actuating means by the turning movement of the rear traction Wheels, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

9. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels, axles therefor, front and rear propeller shafts having driving connections with said front and rear traction wheels respectively, a standard for supporting said rear wheels provided with a spindle, a driving transmission for said propeller shafts, means for disengaging said front propeller shaft from said driving transmission when the rear traction wheels are turned to exceed a predetermined degree, and a steering connection for said wheel standard.

10. In a tractor, the combination ofa running gear frame, pairs of front and rear traction wheels, means for driving said traction wheels comprising diiferentials, means for steering said tractor, means for automatically disconnecting one pair of said wheels from said driving means when the other pair of said wheels is turned at a predetermined angle thereto, and means for reestablishing said driving connection when the pairs of wheels are turned in the opposite direction.

11. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, pairs of front and rear traction wheels, means for driving said traction wheels, means for steeringsaid tractor, means for automatically disconnecting one pair of said wheels from said driving means when the other pair of said wheels is turned at a predetermined angle thereto, and means for reestablishinp; said driving connection when the pairs of wheels are turned in the opposite direction.

12. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels, a standard for supporting the rear traction wheels in close relation, driving means for said rear traction wheels comprising a spindle shaft disposed axially of the spindle and having driving connection with said rear traction wheels, driving connections for the front traction wheels, means for disengaging the driving connections of said front traction wheels when the spindle of the rear traction wheels is turned to excoed a predetermined degree, and a steering connection for said spindle.

13. In a tractor, the combination of a running gear frame, front and rear traction wheels, driving connections for said front and rear traction wheels, means whereby the driving connections for the front traction wheels are automatically disengaged when the rear traction wheels are turned to exceed a predetermined degree, and a steering connection for said rear traction wheels.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses. 

